Missoula AIDS Council is the leading community-based organization addressing the challenges associated with HIV/AIDS in Western Montana. The mission of Missoula AIDS Council is to prevent the transmission of HIV while advocating for and supporting individuals currently living with HIV/AIDS.

Service area: Primarily Western Montana, but targeted outreach prevention is offered statewide Work with: People who are HIV+ or at risk for HIV and anyone in need of HIV testingServices for survivors during incarceration include: The Montana Targeted Prevention Program (MTAP), which provides HIV/AIDS and HCV information; free and anonymous HIV counseling and testing; confidential HCV testing; and free risk-reduction materials in Montana state prisons and jails.Services for survivors after release include: Anonymous HIV testing and a range of services for people who are HIV+ including case management; housing assistance for those who qualify; financial assistance with utilities and other expenses; the Buddy Program, which links community volunteers to people living with HIV/AIDS in need of support in Western Montana; a non-food pantry with cleaning supplies and personal care items; social activities; and referrals for counseling and other needed services.Services for loved ones include: Anonymous HIV testing and counseling; information; and referrals.Fees: Free

The Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCADSV) is a statewide coalition of individuals and organizations working together to end domestic and sexual violence through advocacy, public education, public policy, and program development.

Service area: MontanaWork with: Survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones, sexual assault programs, and allied professional groupsServices for survivors during incarceration include: Information and referrals to the nearest rape crisis center via phone and by mail and a directory of affiliated rape crisis centers on the MCADSV website.Services for survivors after release include: All of the above.Services for loved ones include: All of the above.Fees: FreeAdditional Information: Other MCADSV services include: membership services and outreach, prevention education, public policy advocacy, and training.

Safe Space, Inc., originally known as the Butte Christian Center, provides assistance to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and their loved ones with the goal of breaking the intergenerational cycle of violence.

Service area: Deer Lodge, Granite, Powell, and Silver-Bow Counties and part of Jefferson and Madison CountiesWork with: All survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and their loved onesServices for survivors during incarceration include: Crisis intervention via the 24-hour hotline and by mail; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; information; and referrals.Services for survivors after release include: All of the above, as well as short-term emergency shelter; emergency transportation, food, gas vouchers, and clothing for low-income individuals; six free counseling sessions with a licensed counselor for survivors of sexual assault; a weekly support group for female survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and their children; emergency cell phone program; emergency care for pets; financial assistance; information; and referrals.Services for loved ones include: Crisis intervention; support; information; and referrals.Fees: Free

Violence Free Crisis Line (VFCL) is a non-profit organization that has been providing services to survivors of sexual and domestic violence since 1976.

Service area: Flathead CountyWork with: Survivors of violence, including domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, child sexual abuse, incest, assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and stalking and their loved onesServices for survivors during incarceration: Crisis intervention via the 24-hour hotline, by mail, and by email; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; legal advocacy and court accompaniment for sexual assault cases; information and referrals.Services for survivors after release: All of the above, as well as a support group for adult female survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.Services for loved ones: Crisis intervention; information; and referrals.Fees: Free

Voices of Hope offers comprehensive services for community members, including a Crisis Line and Community Resource Directory (2-1-1), as well as a suicide prevention and sexual assault advocacy program.

Service area: In-person services are offered in Cascade County, but the Crisis Line and Community Resource Directory provides assistance to 43 counties throughout MontanaWork with: Anyone in crisis or in need of referrals, including people who are dealing with suicide, domestic violence, sexual assault, eating disorders, relationship problems, and mental health issuesServices for survivors during incarceration include: Crisis intervention via the 24-hour Crisis Line and by mail; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams in Cascade County; legal advocacy and court accompaniment in Cascade County; in-person crisis counseling, by arrangement; information; and referrals.Services for survivors after release include: All of the above, as well as referrals for counseling and other needed services.Services for loved ones include: All of the above.Fees: Free

The Yellowstone AIDS Project (YAP) is a not-for-profit organization committed to increasing HIV/AIDS awareness and providing prevention and client services in Montana.

Service area: Eastern MontanaWork with: Anyone with HIV/AIDS and those affected by the diseaseServices for survivors during incarceration include: Information and referrals by phone and by mail, as well as weekly prevention education programs at Alternatives for women who participate in the Passages pre-release program and male residents of Alpha House. YAP also offers prevention education and HIV testing at Youth Services, a juvenile detention facility in Billings.Services for survivors after release include: Confidential and anonymous HIV testing and counseling and a range of services for people living with HIV, including; case management; emotional support, including individual and group counseling and support groups; financial and housing assistance for low income clients; emergency assistance with needs such as utility bills, medical co-pays, pet care costs, etc.; access to a pet care product pantry for companion animals and financial assistance for needs such as vaccinations, spay and neuter procedures, and at times, adoption fees; social groups; lending library; educational events; workshops; retreats; holiday food baskets and food pantry; information; and referrals.Services for loved ones include: Confidential and anonymous HIV testing and counseling; social events; support; information; and referrals.Fees: Free

YWCA Missoula is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. The YWCA offers safe shelter, crisis counseling and support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Service area: Missoula and surrounding countiesWork with: All survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their loved onesServices for survivors during incarceration include: Crisis intervention via the 24-hour hotline and by mail; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; legal advocacy and court accompaniment for sexual assault cases; in-person crisis counseling, by arrangement; information; and referrals.Services for survivors after release include: Crisis intervention; emergency shelter for women and children; walk-in peer counseling for men and women, Monday through Friday, from 12-4pm; weekly support groups and a Native American-led talking circle; individual counseling with a licensed therapist for shelter residents; legal, personal, and medical advocacy; and referrals to community resources.Services for loved ones include: Crisis intervention; emergency shelter for children; counseling; age-appropriate children’s groups; information; and referrals.Fees: FreeAdditional Information: The YWCA Homeless Services program provides emergency housing for homeless families and individuals and transitional housing for homeless women and their children and operates the Gateway Center (located at the Salvation Army), a short-term assessment, referral, and supportive services program that provides case management, as well as help with prescription costs, eye exams, transportation, and short-term motel stays for homeless individuals and families who are not living in emergency housing facilities. The YWCA of Missoula also offers Girls Using Their Strength (GUTS!), a community-based leadership and empowerment program designed by and for young women, ages 9 to 18; a biannual Women’s Leadership Series; and Planet Kids Supervised Visitation/Exchange Center, a safe child-friendly environment where court-ordered and voluntary visits between children and their non-residential parents can occur.

The ACLU of Montana works to advance, preserve, and defend civil liberties and civil rights in Montana. The ACLU also works to extend rights to segments of the population that have traditionally been denied their rights, including people of color; women; lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people; prisoners; and people with disabilities. The Legal Program handles only cases that involve infringements upon constitutional rights and civil liberties. The ACLU of Montana is not a general legal aid organization and does not handle disputes between private individuals or entities.

The Montana Prison Project (MPP) monitors conditions of confinement in Montana’s jails, which are run by the individual counties, and the prisons, which are run by the Montana Department of Corrections. Every month, MPP receives 30–50 complaints from inmates throughout the State and in all levels of confinement.

MPP advocates for constitutional jail and prison conditions in a variety of ways. A comprehensive database allows MPP to compile and organize the number of complaints that it receives and assists in tracking trends and problems on either a substantive or facility level. With this information, MPP can compare conditions of the various facilities and advocate for uniform jail and prison standards throughout the state. MPP also investigates complaints by interviewing inmates, family members, and witnesses; reviewing medical records; and discussing concerns with jail and prison staff. Demand letters are sent, when necessary, to advocate a change in position or review of a situation. Also, when necessary, MPP cooperates with attorneys throughout the State to bring litigation to assure that constitutional standards are being met in Montana’s jails and prisons.

A jail or prison is required to protect an individual from harm while incarcerated. MPP is currently investigating an allegedly racially-based beating at the Missoula County Detention Center and alleged rapes at Montana State Prison and Dawson County Detention Facility. If you have been sexually abused behind bars, you can file a claim in any of the following ways: by filling out the online intake form via the Montana ACLU website (link above); by filling-out and mailing in the printable complaint form (link above); by calling the Intake Complaint Line and leaving a message with your name and daytime phone number; and by writing to the address above. Please be sure to include any grievances you have filed regarding the sexual assault and any responses you have received.

The Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) is a free, non-profit, public service of the State Bar of Montana. If you need legal help, you'll be referred to an appropriate Montana attorney for your issues. To participate in the Lawyer Referral Service, the attorneys must be active members of the State Bar of Montana, in good standing, and carry liability insurance. The Lawyer Referral Service attorneys agree to charge referred clients a reasonable fee for their service. The Lawyer Referral Service does not provide referrals to pro bono or low income attorneys. The State Bar also offers a directory of attorneys on its website and free brochures on a variety of topics. All calls are confidential.

Legal Voice, formerly the Northwest Women's Law Center, has been the vanguard organization bringing groundbreaking litigation and fighting for landmark legislation to ensure justice for women in the Pacific Northwest for more than 30 years. The Legal Voice Litigation Program brings cases that change law throughout several states in the Northwest, including Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. Legal Voice receives a large number of requests for assistance and is able to provide legal representation or advocacy only for a limited number of clients whose cases have the potential for broader impact. Survivors of sexual abuse behind bars can contact Legal Voice confidentially by phone or by mail by sending a letter marked “legal mail” to the address above.

GOVERNMENT RESOURCES

If you are sexually assaulted at Montana State Prison or Crossroads Correctional Center you can file an emergency grievance. You can obtain an Inmate/Offender Grievance Form from your Unit Manager. You do not have to first file an information grievance. Alternatively, you can verbally report the incident to a staff member or write to the PREA Unit at the address above.

JDI has directly contacted each organization listed in the Resource Guide in hopes
of pointing survivors toward those currently accepting new clients. However, the
inclusion of any group or individual in the Resource Guide does not necessarily
constitute an endorsement or recommendation by JDI, nor can JDI guarantee the availability
of the services described here.